Bareilly: Soon after coming to power in Uttar Pradesh, the Samajwadi Party has watered down the Congress’s plans of wooing the minority vote bank. Newly appointed Minority Welfare Minister Mohammad Azam Khan has halted the central government’s Multi-sectoral Development Programme (MsDP) in the state.

Orders have been issued to 21 districts in this regard by the minister. Congress was engaged in winning the hearts of the minorities including Muslims through the MsDP scheme. In order to improve their social and economic backwardness, the minorities are provided basic facilities under the programme.

The ongoing tasks in minority dominated villages are to be completed by March 31. Special Secretary TJ Ali has already sent the orders to the district magistrates to stop making payment to contractors and releasing any funds for the projects under the scheme.